Planting time for SoCal?

aimeekitty(9-10, SW 18)March 8, 2010

I have a new garden... it seems most stores have best stock in spring (about now or next month) but many online advice posts say it's best to plant in fall (to give them time to establish before summer?)

Planting deeply in heavy clay soils does pose a problem. You run the risk of creating a 'bucket' of enriched soil that just holds water......something that clematis (and a great many other plants) abhor.

Although I have not done it with clems, I'm don't see why you couldn't and that is to follow planting instructions for other plants when dealing with poorly draining clay soils -- dig out a wide but shallow planting hole, place your vine's rootball and then mound up with soil all around, creating a small berm or raised planting area. You would still want to make sure the vine was planted deeper than it was in the container - at least 2-4 inches deeper is recommended. This is to ensure the development of a strong root system and encourage more shoot development from the root crown, providing greater resistance to wilt. You just want to mound and firm the soil to the proper height.